Pest animals

  • Native animals (such as bees, snakes, magpies and cockatoos) are protected by law under the Wildlife Act 1975, check out our living with native wildlife page
  • Under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 (CaLP) certain animals are declared as pest animals in Victoria. These animals are, or have the potential to become a serious threat to primary production, the environment or community health in Victoria.
  • The Agriculture Victoria website has information on managing pest animals
     

Council is a member of the Eastern Regional Pest Animal Network, which was established in 2016, across Melbourne’s east. The network is a mix of local government, statutory agencies and Victorian government bodies. These include 13 Local Government Authorities in eastern Melbourne, Parks Victoria, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Department of Transport (DOT), Melbourne Water and Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority.

This voluntary network came together with the understanding that pest animal management is best implemented at a regional scale, with well-coordinated action across land tenures, sharing knowledge, capacity and resources.

All deer in Victoria are a protected species under the Wildlife Act 1975 and on public land are managed by the Game Management Authority (GMA). The GMA is an independent authority responsible for the regulation of game hunting in Victoria. The GMA regulate through education, research and enforcement to achieve responsible and sustainable game hunting in Victoria.

Deer control on private land is not administered by the GMA.

What Council is doing 

  • Council is advocating to government for more effective deer management, including removing their protection under the Wildlife Act
  • We aim to help landholders better understand the issues in deer management and create opportunities for improved community-based responses to manage deer in our area.

More information and resources

Foxes are pest animals and cause harm to native wildlife and other animals. Visit the Agriculture Victoria website for information on managing foxes

There is currently a Victorian Government fox bounty program in place.

Visit the trapping Indian myna page for more information on Indian mynas. 

In Victoria, feral or wild populations of European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are declared as established pest animals under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 (CALP Act).

Visit the bees and wasps page for more information. 

Contact Council’s Land Management Officer, who can provide land management advice, including information on resources and grants.
Ph: 1300 787 624
Email: mail@cardinia.vic.gov.au